Chevrolet Malibu (1978 - 1983) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Apparently it's a lot more rare than I thought cause everywhere I go someone wants to buy it. Overall though I'm happy within it. It's got a 305 with a mild cam and aftermarket heads not sure on the specs on them though but she gets up and goes. Definitely not a stock 305. She's got duals from the manifold back to a set of Flows and I plan on ordering some headers and have me on by Christmas. Really want to take it to the track and get some numbers, had a few street races and wasn't disappointed but I want some quarter mile times. I'm guessing somewhere in the low 14s probably. Oh and I need a new translation so if anyone has one or has a lead on one let me know.Dec 04, 2013

One hundred percent ORIGINAL. 229ci V6, Metric 200 trans. She was a gift from my wife and kids, for my 30th birthday. Discovered on eBay, located 5 miles from my home. She was a great car, I miss her dearly. My daughter fell in love with her almost a fast as I did... She even named her, Sophia. Sophia's frame was rotted really bad in the rear (where these cars typically rot), so I ended up getting another one that was in ALOT better condition. Sadly, I had to sell Sophia. Oct 28, 2011

Car has a 383 Stroker, putting out about 450 hp, Turbo 350 trans, and factory posi rear diff. Originally an Arkansas car, VERY little rust. There are a few things I have had to repair/change since purchasing the car, nothing major though. These cars are becoming harder to find in "unmolested" condition. They are VERY popular for drag racing, because they are light weight, and have a full frame. Any of these that have seen a few winters in the "Salt Belt" of America, more than likely have excessive rust, especially in the rear, frame areas.Oct 28, 2011

As simple as I love it! This car has much better design than the previous generation, lighter, clean appeareance and is smarter in roominess, talking about space I just complaint a little about rear seat, I think there was room for improvement but is ok. This car runs quarter mile in high 15s at 2600 mt. above sea level, I think is good for a daily driver car, its equipped with police brakes wich are excellent in durability, quite and super smooth ride, you could move the steering wheel just with a finger. Good build quality, all the chromme is still there, the same with the most of the materials used in the interior, and there are no much creaking, they say it seems those old chevys were built to be alive foreverOct 09, 2009

Well it should be just under 400 hp so it should move pretty quick. it brakes surprisingly well for an old car, but it handles like a boat which i personally dont mind. it is amazing quality, it is 32 years old, mostly original and the only things that have gone wrong are one sway bar link failed and the center link is worn... toyota can suck on that. as for apperance i love it, its kind of like a updated chevelle or something. it should look better with drag radials. the mileage was pretty good before for a modified v8 with raceing gears. but it will probably suck now with 380 hp as for maintenance just gas and car washes. as for fun factor. before it was a blast to drive. now im figureing it will be an adrenilane rush just to pull out of the driveway.Aug 03, 2009

So this was my Grandpa's car before I got it for free from him, it breaks nice and you can steer it with your pinky but it has almost no giddy up, it has/had new paint on it but it was a shoddy job so its all peeling, but I'm a sucker for older cars and i just love it. It isn't easy on gas but a few things could fix that and it needs some maintenance but it sat in tall grass for 10 or so years. Super fun to drive even without acceleration. I would trust my life on this car, I mean sure it has its problems but for being 27 years old and how its been treated it still works wellJul 15, 2009

this is a relatively reliable, basic vehicle that has a rock solid suspension and reasonable handling. because it's mid-sized, it's reasonably easy to park too. (unlike the longer chevy caprice, which i've also owned.) minor gripes include low power in stock form, even with the optional V8, although mine had the 229 ci v6. transmission is a low end unit with only 3 speeds. 0-60 times are more like that of a truck than a car. also, the rearmost framework is prone to rusting out and falling off (!) causing the back bumper to fall off. this can be repaired again but considering the age of the car and the lack of collect-ability of this generation of Malibu. On the plus side, there is many aftermarket parts out there to make these vehicles serious performers.. These cars often times are stripped down and lightened for stock car racing, so numerous suspension and engine upgrades are out there.Apr 21, 2008

Bought a 78 Malibu, 4Dr, Dark grey-ish exterior with 156K on it and a 350 V8 to get me through the summer before college. It had a RED interior. Red seats, red saggy headliner, red dash, red steering wheel, red carpet. Very, very 70's. Nothing more fun that pulling up to a light with my $200 POS next to my buddies brand new Acura, Celica, etc. and just leaving them in a cloud of smoke from my tires. This car was fast and fun and somehow didn't overheat on the Garden State Parkway in 4 hours of bumper to bumper traffic in 98 degree heat. Dec 26, 2007